SCI Recruiting Volunteers to Help Seniors With Leaf Raking

Social Capital Inc. (SCI), a nonprofit organization based in Woburn is currently seeking volunteers for their ongoing project Woburn Volunteers for Seniors. This project will match handicapped and isolated seniors with local volunteers, who will assist them in various outdoor chores such as leaf removal and snow shoveling. Volunteers will also be on call in case of sudden heavy snowfall that could otherwise leave many seniors home bound. SCI will collaborate with the Woburn Senior Center and Woburn Council on Aging for the project.

SCI is currently seeking volunteers of all ages to help with leaf raking for seniors throughout the community. Volunteers can be paired with a senior at any time that works for their schedule. In addition to this ongoing effort, we will be holding two group raking days on Wednesday, October 25 (a half day for Woburn students) and Veterans Day (observed) on Friday, November 10. If interested in volunteering, please contact Katie Russo at krusso@socialcapitalinc.org.

How did leaf raking for seniors get started?

The idea for Woburn Volunteers for Seniors was born in the now-infamous winter of 2014-2015, when Massachusetts received record snow accumulation. During a meeting with Judy Tanner of the Woburn Senior Center, SCI president David Crowley learned of several seniors affected by the storms. In addition to being trapped in their homes, many were unable to clear external vents. This left them vulnerable to dangerous carbon monoxide buildups. David and his SCI team quickly mobilized a group of volunteers to provide emergency assistance to over a dozen seniors.

“We were pleased to be able to recruit volunteers to help following a major blizzard,” commented Crowley. “But the situation also pointed out the need to develop a more systematic way to support seniors who might be in need of assistance. We have also expanded the scope of the volunteers’ efforts to include helping seniors with leaf raking.”

Waht is SCI’s Mission?

The mission of SCI Social Capital Inc. is to strengthen communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives. Since 2002, SCI has been developing social capitalists. These individuals reach across differences to mobilize neighbors and volunteers to strengthen our communities. SCI projects in 20 Massachusetts communities include youth-led campaigns to promote healthy eating and exercise, community web portals and e-newsletters to connect people to civic information; multicultural events; neighborhood gatherings and resident-led community problem solving.